SALAMANCA - Salamanca's movement to restore Main Street will include the influence of how Jamestown is working to revitalize its downtown.
Lee Harkness, executive director of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp., spoke at the chamber's 2010 kick-off luncheon and annual meeting Friday at the Seneca Allegany Casino.
"In the past few decades, Jamestown has suffered the same economic losses to their Main Street as Salamanca and many more cities and communities throughout the country," reports an invitation to the lunch. It adds DJDC work, along with a supportive community and government, is resulting in a Jamestown "renaissance." Harkness reports the Gebbie Foundation revitalization support, private investment and infrastructure improvement, events that drive people downtown, and renovating facades all contributed to that renaissance.
He thinks the same could hold true in Salamanca.
"I always thought there is a unique opportunity here," said Harkness during the lunch, adding the Seneca Nation, city of Salamanca, its railroad history, river, Allegany State Park and nearby Ellicottville put Salamanca in a position other cities wish they had.
"As downtowns go, so goes the rest of the community," he said. Harkness, executive director of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp since 2003, said Jamestown was a blue collar town with a declining population, but, he said, it has rich attractions and foundations. When one such foundation, the Gebbie Foundation, Industrial Development Agency and others joined forces to build the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, they wanted to bring "new life" to downtown. He said a committee was formed and urban design done resulting in the Jamestown Renaissance Corp., which implemented the design plan with downtown facade changes, wi-fi, the Riverwalk Concert Series and more. It is next working on neighborhood revitalization and a virtual 3D tour of downtown Jamestown.
He said the $1.1 million in grants that began the revitalization efforts have resulted in $60 million in private investment and $15 million in city infrastructure projects.
"No one individual organization can provide rebirth on its own," he said.
As Salamanca, the Seneca Nation, chamber of commerce and others unite to work on their Main Street, Chamber of Commerce President Jayne Fenton said they looked to Harkness as a role model. She said the neighboring Jamestown community provides inspiration to "demonstrate what can be done to make a difference," adding Salamanca will try to do the same thing. Harkness said the Main Street program followed in Jamestown "really does work."
"Jamestown was not always where it is," he said, adding the Main Street program can work in Salamanca and for the Seneca Nation.
"I never saw such networking," said Jacqueline Bowen, Seneca Nation treasurer. She said the crowd of Senecas, city officials, business representatives and youth gathered at the luncheon spells success.
"It's absolute," she said.
Salamanca's Main Street Partnership is a collaborative effort with participation from the Seneca Nation, City of Salamanca, Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce, Salamanca Industrial Development Agency, Cattaraugus County Arts Council, Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, business representatives, property owners and others.
It is working towards creating a cultural arts and entertainment district for Main Street that would recognize Seneca culture and where storefronts would be filled with art studios and galleries, featuring area artists, both Native Americans and non-Native Americans.
"It all starts locally," state Assemblyman Joe Giglio, RIC-Gowanda, told the crowd Friday, telling them about his concern of how the state can get in the way of that. He had a remedy, however.
"As you make your comeback, the people in this room will make it successful," he said.
If Friday's attendance is any indication, Salamanca's come back will include city and Seneca Nation representatives, chamber of commerce officials, community members, Harkness and youth from the Salamanca High School Band, who performed for the crowd.
The Salamanca High School Band provided music for the event under the direction of Jonathan R. Wilder, chairman of the school's music department. Students who performed include: Courtney Atkins, Lindsay Langworthy, Geena Maybee, Danielle Dowiasz, Stephanie Reed and Kaitlyn Strang, flute; Michele Morris and Kristen Doner, clarinet; Keisha Weakfall, bass clarinet; Kellen Quigley, Holly Turano, Tyler Martin, Alex Brooks and Andrea Lounsbury, alto saxophone; Kisun Peters and Olivia John, tenor saxophone; Sam Saunders, baritone saxophone; Caleb Bess and William Hackett, trumpet; Alicia Timblin and Megan Spry, French horn; Curtis Dux, Luke Wenke and Brendan John, baritone horn; Jaysen Bias, tuba; and Audi John, Stephen Ellis, Joelle Plunkett and Brooke Skiba, percussion.
